Interior designer Nate Berkus often uses salvaged materials from past eras, such as vintage doors, that are not only unique but are also a great way to practice sustainability.

In a TikTok video for Glamour magazine about his six favorite interior design ideas, Berkus said, “It’s green and adds instant patina and character. I love architectural salvage.”

Author and interior designer Joanne Palmisano in “Salvage Secrets” said salvaged refers to materials reused, reclaimed, or repurposed from other homes, buildings, or locations.

Repurposed items are reused in a different area than in their original home or utilized in another way, such as a patio stone claimed for a staircase.

Palmisano added that recycled items are made from salvaged materials, such as broken glass pieces transformed into tile.

You can find salvaged items on sites like Etsy, flea markets, vintage shops, and estate sales, or check Old House Online for a directory of architectural salvage stores nationwide.